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BY ADRIAN STEWART CO and PRINCE GOLEZ
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Monday, October 30, 2017
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MANILA – Rep. Harry Roque (Kabayan party-list) promised to keep upholding human rights as he takes on a new job as spokesperson for President Rodrigo Duterte. He also vowed to be accessible to the press.
A human rights lawyer, Roque said he remains a firm advocate of human rights and will not condone violations in the Duterte administration’s war on drugs.
“My position on human rights has not changed. I am a firm advocate for the protection and preservation of fundamental human rights of all persons. My track record in legislation demonstrates this,” Roque said in a statement.
“I am not condoning the violence surrounding the government’s antidrug campaign, nor do I intend to further the same,” he added. “I continue to value the right to life and dignity of every person and do not support the arbitrary killing of any person.”
Duterte announced on Friday night that Roque was appointed his new spokesperson, replacing Undersecretary Ernesto Abella starting Nov. 6, when the President returns from his visit in Japan.
“Ako naman po, hindi lang ako partner ng media, ako po ay abogado ng media,” Roque said in a radio interview. “Lahat ng dinemanda ng libelo, lahat ng pinapatay, tayo na po ang naghahawak ng kasong iyan.”
The new Malacañang official also stressed he supports the right to free speech.
“Wala pong pagbabago sa ating relasyon. Lalo po nating palalakasin ang ating relasyon,” he said, addressing the press. “Ako naman po talaga simula’t mula naninindigan po sa karapatan ng malayang pamamahayag.”
Not responding to journalists’ questions is not his style, Roque said but added that the only times he could not immediately answer calls are when he is taking a bath, using the toilet and on board an aircraft.
“Kagaya ngayon po, I have 300-plus unanswered, nakasagot na po ako ng 200. At iyong telepono ko po kasi walang busy-ing signal. So lahat, wala na pong tigil ang sagot ko sa telepono,” he said. “Pero tingin ko naman po kasama sa trabaho iyan.”
Roque said he accepted the post since his voice in Congress was “limited” and being a presidential spokesman will give him an opportunity to help the administration address key human rights issues.
“I considered the position with the specific purpose of getting an audience with the President to address key human rights issues in the Philippines,” he said. “I hope to be able to advise the President directly regarding the manner and methods he has used to tackle the problem of drugs.”/PN
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